Crimson Trace Goes Green with the New CMR-203 Rail Master Green Laser

by Jeff Quinn

photography by Jeff Quinn & Boge Quinn

September 21st, 2012

 

Click pictures for a larger version.

 

 

Crimson Trace CMR-203 green laser, mounted to a Kel-Tec PMR-30 22 Magnum pistol.

 

 

Battery is large enough to power the laser for over four hours of run time.

 

 

Ambidextrous activation switches.

Crimson Trace Corporation has been the industry leader in quality laser sights for handguns, rifles, and shotguns for many years. Crimson Trace lasers have always used red laser technology for their laser sights, until now. Many shooters prefer a green laser, as green is easier to see in some situations.

Green lasers require more power than do their red counterparts, so battery life has always been a concern with green lasers. When Crimson Trace first told me that they were ready to produce a green laser, my first question pertained to battery life. Iain Harrison told me that they simply used a larger battery in the CMR-203. Seems like a very logical way to solve that problem. What is significant, however, is that the CMR-203 is not much larger than their red-laser CMR-202 Rail Master, so Crimson Trace did a good job designing this new unit around that big CR2 battery. Crimson Trace claims a battery life in excess of four hours, and playing with this CMR-203 green laser, I think that claim is valid.

The CMR-203 green laser is designed to work on most any handgun, rifle, or shotgun that has an accessory rail, and the unit comes with four rail adaptors to accommodate most any application. The CMR-203 mounts securely, and does not move under recoil. The unit, with battery, weighs only 1.7 ounces, and holsters to accommodate the laser-equipped pistols are available from Galco, Cross Breed, Simply Rugged, and a few other holster makers. On a handgun, such as the Kel-Tec PMR-30 shown here, the ambidextrous activation switches fall right under the tip of the trigger finger as the weapon is presented on target, and is easily and quickly activated by pressing either of the switches. To turn off the laser, the switch is pressed again. The laser shuts off automatically after five minutes of run time, to prevent battery drainage. The laser is easily adjusted with the tool provided.

I tried the CMR-203 laser on various targets on my range and in the woods, at mid-day and also after dark. On many types of targets, the green is certainly more visible than a red laser. In addition to the Rail Master shown here, Crimson Trace has also introduced new green lasers in the Laserguard series.

The price of the new CMR-203 Rail Master Green laser is $269 US, as of the date of this review, and is available at your Crimson Trace dealer, or direct from www.crimsontrace.com.

The CMR-203 has a three-year warranty.

With the introduction of this new CMR-203, Crimson Trace ain’t just crimson anymore.

Jeff Quinn

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Click pictures for a larger version.

 

 

 

 

CMR-203 comes with four different rail adapters to fit most any Picatinny or Weaver rail, as well as non-standard pistol accessory rails.

 

 

Windage and elevation are easily adjusted with the hex wrench provided.